FOR THE AWARD OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY 2015 A THESIS SUBMITTED BY ANNE-MARIE SASSENBERG BCOM (Marketing), Honours (Marketing), MCOM (Marketing) Effects of Sport Celebrity Transgressions in the Sport Industry University of Southern Queensland Certificate of Thesis I certify that the ideas, analyses, and conclusions reported in this thesis are entirely my own effort, except where otherwise acknowledged. I also certify that the work is original and has not been previously submitted for any other award, except where otherwise acknowledged. Signature of Candidate and Date ENDORSEMENT Signature of Supervisor/s and Date Signature of Supervisor/s and Date Page | i Contact Details Anne-Marie Sassenberg:
[email protected] Page | ii Acknowledgements I will remember the writing of this thesis as an important event in my life, a very challenging yet exciting one. Thank you for making it happen. I am deeply grateful to my doctoral advisors Associate Professor Jane Summers, Professor Marie Kavanagh, and Associate Professor Melissa Johnson Morgan for accompanying me through the learning process that writing this thesis has been for me. I also want to acknowledge Libby Collett for her excellent editing services. I would like to acknowledge my dear friends and colleagues, Associate Professor Martie-Louise Verreynne, Frances Cassidy, Michael Gardiner, Raymond Gordon and Dianne Hall, who diligently supported me throughout this process. My personal friends, Amanda, Jaco, Richard, Donovan and Karin who believed in me, I really appreciate your friendship and kindness. For all the members who participated in discussing this study – especially Denzel, Raymond, Stephen, Dirk, Wendy, Kara and EJ - many thanks for your wonderful participation, enthusiasm and passion for sport.